# Sam McVey

Samuel E. MacVea or Sam McVey (May 17, 1884 – December 23, 1921) was a Hall of Fame heavyweight boxer during the early 20th century. Famously known as the "Oxnard Cyclone", he ranked alongside Jack Johnson, Joe Jeanette, Sam Langford, and Harry Wills, some of the best heavyweights of their time. All of them, except Johnson, were denied a shot at the world heavyweight championship due to the color bar, which was ironically maintained by Johnson when he became the first black to win the world heavyweight in spotlight. Despite being denied a title shot, Sam enjoyed the famed career that took him across the globe.
In 96 documented fights in at least 10 different countries, McVey only lost 16 bouts. His greatest wins include two victories over both Sam Langford and Harry Wills, which won him the World Colored Heavyweight Championship on two occasions, respectively. In his later, years he worked as a trainer and sparring partner for both black and white fighters training for important bouts.

## Biography

Fighting out of Oxnard, California, McVey stood 5′10½″ inches tall and fought at a weight of between 205 and 220 lbs. He relied more on brute strength than finesse in the ring. His first pro fight listed on BoxRec took place in 1902 at the age of 18, but a newspaper from 1902, on his then-upcoming fight with Jack Fogarty, lists five earlier fights he won in Australia, and a further two that took place in California. However In those days, few mixed-race fights took place, so McVey frequently fought the other top black boxers of his time, including Sam Langford (15 times), Joe Jeanette (5 times), Harry Wills (5 times), and Jack Johnson (3 times). Overall, McVey's boxing record was 65 wins, 16 losses, and 12 draws.
McVey spent much of his prime years fighting overseas. He left for Paris in 1907 and fought there for four years. McVey left Paris in 1911 for Australia. He fought there for three more years before finally returning to the U.S.
On December 31, 1908 in Paris, Sam McVey competed in a mixed style bout against jujutsu expert Tano Matsuda, knocking him out in ten seconds. In the earlier part of this century, such bouts were occasionally held in Japan pitting western boxers against judo or jujutsu fighters.
On April 17, 1909, in Paris, Sam McVey fought Joe Jeanette in a bout considered one of the greatest and certainly one of the longest of the 20th century. The fight went 50 rounds and lasted three and a half hours. McVey was generally agreed to be winning through most of the fight, particularly the 21st and 22nd round, knocking Jeanette down repeatedly. By the 40th round, however, Jeanette had recovered while McVey was lagging and knocked down repeatedly. Ultimately McVey's eyes had swollen shut and he was forced to quit.
In 1912, McVey was one of the contenders for the World Colored Heavyweight Championship fought at various venues across Australia. His opponent Sam Langford was a Black Canadian popularly known as the Boston Tar Baby, and reputedly one of the greatest fighters of all time, beating champions in the lightweight to heavyweight classes. Before the matches, the boxers gave demonstrations of their skill. Before his beating, Sam McVea in the Exhibition Rink Buildings in Perth, Sam Langford stayed at the Nedlands Park Hotel where he:
   gave exhibitions of punching the ball, throwing the medicine bag sparring, etc. His work was a revelation. Langford allowed his sparring partners to hit him just when and where they pleased. After witnessing his exhibition of wonderful foot and head work one could easily understand how the big-little fellow came to lay low the best boxers in the world. Langford is as fast on his feet and as graceful as a ballet-dancer. He carries a punch like unto that of a kick of a mule, and is practically impervious to punishment. Dick Cullen hit him some terrific punches on the chin last Wednesday - punches that would have put the ordinary boxer away for the full count; but the Tar Baby only grinned and shoved out his head for more. He is truly a remarkable fighter.
McVey contracted pneumonia and died December 23, 1921, in New York City, penniless while still an active fighter. His burial was paid for by Jack Johnson. His headstone was paid by Ben Hawes. A special ceremony was conducted by Daryl George at Mt. Olivet cemetery in Queens, NY. [Citation - Ben Hawes - I paid for it, organized it and had his resting place blessed.

## Legacy & honors

In 2020 award-winning author Mark Allen Baker published the first comprehensive account of The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937, with McFarland & Company, a leading independent publisher of academic & nonfiction books. This history traces the advent and demise of the Championship, the stories of the talented professional athletes who won it, and the demarcation of the color line both in and out of the ring.
For decades the World Colored Heavyweight Championship was a useful tool to combat racial oppression-the existence of the title a leverage mechanism, or tool, used as a technique to counter a social element, “drawing the color line.”
McVey was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1999.

## Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

### Official record

| 112 fights | 74 wins | 14 losses |
| By knockout | 60 | 5 |
| By decision | 13 | 9 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 10 | 10 |
| No contests | 3 | 3 |
| Newspaper decisions/draws | 11 | 11 |
All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted to the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 112 | Draw | 74–14–10 (14) | Jeff Clark | NWS | 10 | Aug 1, 1921 | Rossmere Park, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 111 | Win | 74–14–10 (13) | Jeff Clark | NWS | 10 | Jul 7, 1921 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | |
| 110 | Win | 74–14–10 (12) | Jeff Clark | PTS | 12 | Mar 21, 1921 | Columbus, Ohio, US | |
| 109 | NC | 73–14–10 (12) | Jack Thompson | NC | 6 (10) | Mar 18, 1921 | Moose Temple, Detroit, Michigan, US | McVea was hit with body blows. He held excessively, so the referee declared a no contest |
| 108 | NC | 73–14–10 (11) | Harry Wills | NC | 6 (8) | Sep 8, 1920 | Ice Palace, Philadelphia, US | World colored heavyweight title at stake; Fight stopped for "stalling" |
| 107 | Win | 73–14–10 (10) | Jack Ward | KO | 2 (10) | Sep 1, 1920 | Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, US | |
| 106 | Loss | 72–14–10 (10) | Sam Langford | NWS | 10 | Aug 14, 1920 | East Chicago, Indiana, US | |
| 105 | Loss | 72–14–10 (9) | Pinky Lewis | PTS | 10 | Aug 5, 1920 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, US | |
| 104 | Win | 72–13–10 (9) | Clem Johnson | KO | 4 (15) | Dec 15, 1918 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | |
| 103 | Draw | 71–13–10 (9) | Jack Livingstone | PTS | 10 | Sep 14, 1918 | Broadway Theater, Colon City, Panama | |
| 102 | Loss | 71–13–9 (9) | Harry Wills | PTS | 20 | Jun 16, 1918 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | |
| 101 | Loss | 71–12–9 (9) | Harry Wills | KO | 5 (20) | Feb 17, 1918 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | |
| 100 | Win | 71–11–9 (9) | Battling Jim Johnson | PTS | 25 | Oct 14, 1917 | Broadway Theater, Colon City, Panama | |
| 99 | Win | 70–11–9 (9) | Battling Jim Johnson | PTS | 20 | Aug 12, 1917 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | Fought outside in heavy rain |
| 98 | Win | 69–11–9 (9) | Jeff Clark | TKO | 15 (20) | Jul 15, 1917 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | |
| 97 | Win | 68–11–9 (9) | Jeff Clark | PTS | 20 | May 13, 1917 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | |
| 96 | Win | 67–11–9 (9) | Jim Barry | TKO | 7 (20) | Mar 11, 1917 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | |
| 95 | Win | 66–11–9 (9) | Jim Briggs | KO | 2 (10) | Jan 27, 1917 | Santa Ana Plaza, Panama City, Panama | |
| 94 | Win | 65–11–9 (9) | Fitz Brathwaite | KO | 1 (10) | Jan 27, 1917 | Santa Ana Plaza, Panama City, Panama | |
| 93 | Win | 64–11–9 (9) | Jack Livingstone | KO | 5 (15) | Jan 14, 1917 | Garden Theater, Colon City, Panama | |
| 92 | Win | 63–11–9 (9) | Bob Devere | PTS | 10 | Sep 20, 1916 | Santiago de Chile, Chile | |
| 91 | Draw | 62–11–9 (9) | Bob Devere | PTS | 20 | Sep 3, 1916 | Santiago de Chile, Chile | |
| 90 | Draw | 62–11–8 (9) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Aug 12, 1916 | Teatro Roma, Avellaneda, Argentina | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 89 | Draw | 62–11–7 (9) | Sam Langford | NWS | 12 | May 2, 1916 | East Market St. Rink, Akron, Ohio, US | World colored heavyweight title at stake; (via KO only) |
| 88 | Loss | 62–11–7 (8) | Jack Thompson | PTS | 8 | Apr 14, 1916 | Future City A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, US | |
| 87 | Loss | 62–10–7 (8) | Sam Langford | NWS | 10 | Apr 7, 1916 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | World colored heavyweight title at stake; (via KO only) |
| 86 | Loss | 62–10–7 (7) | Sam Langford | NWS | 10 | Feb 17, 1916 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 85 | Draw | 62–10–7 (6) | Sam Langford | NWS | 10 | Oct 23, 1915 | American A.C., New York City, New York, US | |
| 84 | Win | 62–10–7 (5) | Jeff Clark | PTS | 10 | Oct 15, 1915 | North Side A.C., Kansas City, Missouri, US | |
| 83 | Draw | 61–10–7 (5) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Sep 30, 1915 | Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, US | |
| 82 | Loss | 61–10–6 (5) | Harry Wills | PTS | 12 | Sep 7, 1915 | Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US | Lost world colored heavyweight title |
| 81 | Win | 61–9–6 (5) | Sam Langford | KO | 8 (12) | Aug 10, 1915 | Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 80 | Win | 60–9–6 (5) | Sam Langford | PTS | 12 | Jun 29, 1915 | Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US | Won world colored heavyweight title |
| 79 | Win | 59–9–6 (5) | Battling Jim Johnson | NWS | 10 | Jun 9, 1915 | Gayety Theatre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| 78 | Win | 59–9–6 (4) | Harry Wills | NWS | 10 | May 19, 1915 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 77 | Draw | 59–9–6 (3) | Joe Jennette | PTS | 12 | Apr 27, 1915 | Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 76 | Win | 59–9–5 (3) | Battling Jim Johnson | PTS | 20 | Feb 20, 1915 | Havana, Cuba | |
| 75 | Win | 58–9–5 (3) | Harry Wills | PTS | 20 | Dec 20, 1914 | McDonoghville Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, US | |
| 74 | Win | 57–9–5 (3) | Battling Jim Johnson | NWS | 10 | Dec 10, 1914 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | |
| 73 | Win | 57–9–5 (2) | Arthur Pelkey | KO | 4 (20) | Jun 13, 1914 | Baker's Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia | |
| 72 | Win | 56–9–5 (2) | Colin Bell | KO | 2 (20) | Dec 27, 1913 | Olympia A.C. Newtown, Sydney, Australia | |
| 71 | Win | 55–9–5 (2) | Professor Stevenson | KO | 5 (10) | Nov 6, 1913 | Rink Hall, Lismore, Australia | |
| 70 | Win | 54–9–5 (2) | Colin Bell | TKO | 16 (20) | Apr 19, 1913 | National Arena, Adelaide, Australia | Won South Australia State heavyweight titles |
| 69 | Draw | 53–9–5 (2) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Mar 24, 1913 | Olympic Stadium, Brisbane, Australia | For world colored heavyweight titles |
| 68 | Loss | 53–9–4 (2) | Sam Langford | KO | 13 (20) | Dec 26, 1912 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | For Australian and world colored heavyweight titles |
| 67 | Loss | 53–8–4 (2) | Sam Langford | TKO | 11 (20) | Oct 9, 1912 | Exhibition Stadium, Perth, Australia | For Australian and world colored heavyweight titles; McVey claimed a foul. This was not allowed and he refused to continue |
| 66 | Loss | 53–7–4 (2) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Aug 3, 1912 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | For Australian and world colored heavyweight titles |
| 65 | Loss | 53–6–4 (2) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Apr 8, 1912 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | Lost Australian and world colored heavyweight titles |
| 64 | Win | 53–5–4 (2) | Jim Barry | PTS | 20 | Mar 16, 1912 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | |
| 63 | Win | 52–5–4 (2) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Dec 26, 1911 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | Retained Australian heavyweight title; Won world colored heavyweight title |
| 62 | Win | 51–5–4 (2) | Jack Lester | TKO | 8 (20) | Dec 11, 1911 | Olympic Stadium, Brisbane, Australia | Retained Australian heavyweight title |
| 61 | Win | 50–5–4 (2) | Bill Lang | KO | 2 (20) | Oct 28, 1911 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | Retained Australian heavyweight title |
| 60 | Win | 49–5–4 (2) | Jack Lester | PTS | 20 | Sep 30, 1911 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | Won Australian heavyweight title |
| 59 | Win | 48–5–4 (2) | Alf Langford | KO | 9 (15) | Aug 3, 1911 | Artillery Drill Hall, Sheffield, England, UK | |
| 58 | Win | 47–5–4 (2) | George Rodel | KO | 1 (20) | Jul 20, 1911 | Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, England, UK | |
| 57 | Win | 46–5–4 (2) | Andrew Dixon | KO | 4 (20) | May 25, 1911 | Cirque-Théâtre, Angers, France | |
| 56 | Draw | 45–5–4 (2) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Apr 1, 1911 | Cirque de Paris, Paris, France | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 55 | Win | 45–5–3 (2) | Charley Harris | KO | 3 (?) | Feb 25, 1911 | Apollo-Cirque, Nancy, France | |
| 54 | Win | 44–5–3 (2) | Seaman Fred Parsons | KO | 1 (15) | Jan 14, 1911 | Bâtiment Électoral, Geneva, Switzerland | |
| 53 | Win | 43–5–3 (2) | Battling Jim Johnson | KO | 21 (25) | Nov 19, 1910 | Luna Park Skating Rink, Paris, France | |
| 52 | Win | 42–5–3 (2) | Sergeant Sunshine | KO | 1 (?) | Oct 22, 1910 | Hippodrome, Paris, Belgium | |
| 51 | Win | 41–5–3 (2) | Peter Rice | TKO | 3 (?) | Oct 17, 1910 | Brussels Rinking, Brussels, Belgium | |
| 50 | Draw | 40–5–3 (2) | Battling Jim Johnson | PTS | 15 | Aug 7, 1910 | Neuilly-sur-Seine, France | |
| 49 | Win | 40–5–2 (2) | Peter Rice | KO | 4 (?) | Jul 22, 1910 | Salle de la Pépinière, Paris, France | |
| 48 | Win | 39–5–2 (2) | Joe Grim | TKO | 13 (20) | Jun 25, 1910 | Hippodrome, Paris, France | |
| 47 | Win | 38–5–2 (2) | Jim Stewart | TKO | 6 (25) | Apr 16, 1910 | Cirque de Paris, Paris, France | |
| 46 | Win | 37–5–2 (2) | Arthur Bennett | KO | 4 (25) | Apr 13, 1910 | Apollo-Cirque, Nancy, France | |
| 45 | Win | 36–5–2 (2) | Herbert Sinnott | KO | 5 | Mar 25, 1910 | Grand-Théâtre, Saint-Etienne, France | A fight to the finish |
| 44 | Win | 35–5–2 (2) | Al Kubiak | KO | 10 (20) | Feb 26, 1910 | Wonderland, Paris, France | |
| 43 | Win | 34–5–2 (2) | Fred Drummond | KO | 5 (?) | Jan 27, 1910 | Le Havre, France | |
| 42 | Draw | 33–5–2 (2) | Joe Jennette | PTS | 30 | Dec 11, 1909 | Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, France | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 41 | Win | 33–5–1 (2) | Fred Drummond | KO | 7 (20) | Jul 4, 1909 | Praça de Touros do Campo Pequeno, Lisbon, Portugal | |
| 40 | Win | 32–5–1 (2) | Jim Barry | DQ | 15 (20) | Jun 26, 1909 | Cirque de Paris, Paris, France | |
| 39 | Win | 31–5–1 (2) | Bill Harris | KO | 5 | May 30, 1909 | Arènes du Rond-Point du Prado, Marseille, France | A fight to the finish |
| 38 | Win | 30–5–1 (2) | Fred Drummond | KO | 5 (20) | Apr 24, 1909 | Nouveau Cirque, Orléans, France | |
| 37 | Loss | 29–5–1 (2) | Joe Jennette | RTD | 49 (?) | Apr 17, 1909 | Cirque de Paris, Paris, France | Lost world colored heavyweight title |
| 36 | Win | 29–4–1 (2) | 'Cyclone' Billy Warren | KO | 2 (?) | Apr 9, 1909 | Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France | Retained world colored heavyweight title |
| 35 | Win | 28–4–1 (2) | Joe Jennette | PTS | 20 | Feb 20, 1909 | Salle des Fêtes, Roubaix, France | Won vacant world colored heavyweight title |
| 34 | Win | 27–4–1 (2) | Herbert Sinnott | KO | 5 (15) | Feb 5, 1909 | Salle des Fêtes, Roubaix, France | |
| 33 | Win | 26–4–1 (2) | Bill Rickard | KO | 1 (?), 0:06 | Jan 23, 1909 | Folies Bergère, Paris, France | |
| 32 | Draw | 25–4–1 (2) | Fred Drummond | PTS | ? | Dec 18, 1908 | Théâtre de l'Eldorado, Montpellier, France | |
| 31 | NC | 25–4 (2) | Fred Drummond | NC | ? (?) | Dec 17, 1908 | Théâtre de l'Eldorado, Montpellier, France | |
| 30 | Win | 25–4 (1) | Camerlings | TKO | 1 (?) | Nov 18, 1908 | Scala, Brussels, Belgium | |
| 29 | Win | 24–4 (1) | Herbert Sinnott | KO | 5 (20) | Nov 14, 1908 | Hippodrome, Paris, France | |
| 28 | Win | 23–4 (1) | Guionnet | TKO | 3 (?) | Oct 14, 1908 | Bordeaux, France | |
| 27 | Win | 22–4 (1) | Harry Shearing | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 19, 1908 | Paris, France | |
| 26 | Win | 21–4 (1) | Fred Drummond | KO | 4 (15) | Jul 18, 1908 | Scala, Oostende, Belgium | |
| 25 | Win | 20–4 (1) | Charlie Wilson | KO | 3 (20) | Jul 12, 1908 | Velodrome du Karreveld, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Belgium | |
| 24 | Win | 19–4 (1) | Georges Rampazzi | KO | 3 (?) | Jul 1, 1908 | Biarritz, France | Exact date unknown |
| 23 | Win | 18–4 (1) | Jewey Smith | KO | 3 (20) | May 23, 1908 | Porte Maillot, Paris, France | |
| 22 | Win | 17–4 (1) | Ben Taylor | KO | 11 (15) | Apr 15, 1908 | Hippodrome, Paris, France | |
| 21 | Win | 16–4 (1) | Harry Shearing | TKO | 5 (?) | Feb 15, 1908 | Neuilly Bowling Palace, Paris, France | |
| 20 | Win | 15–4 (1) | Jack Scales | KO | 2 (15) | Dec 28, 1907 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
| 19 | Win | 14–4 (1) | Marc Gaucher | KO | 4 (?) | Oct 24, 1907 | Folies Bergère, Paris, France | |
| 18 | Win | 13–4 (1) | Ben Taylor | KO | 3 (10) | Jun 3, 1907 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | |
| 17 | Loss | 12–4 (1) | Joe Jennette | NWS | 10 | Apr 15, 1907 | Lyric Hall, New York City, New York, US | |
| 16 | Win | 12–4 | Denver Ed Martin | KO | 16 (20) | Feb 28, 1907 | Old Pavilion, Sacramento, California, US | |
| 15 | Win | 11–4 | Sailor Matt Turner | KO | 2 (20), 1:15 | Nov 29, 1906 | Farragut Theater, Vallejo, California, US | |
| 14 | Win | 10–4 | Tornado Smith | KO | 1 (?) | Feb 24, 1906 | Bakersfield, California, US | |
| 13 | Win | 9–4 | Denver Ed Martin | KO | 4 (20) | Jan 25, 1906 | National A.C., San Diego, California, US | |
| 12 | Loss | 8–4 | Denver Ed Martin | PTS | 10 | Aug 12, 1904 | Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 11 | Loss | 8–3 | Jack Johnson | KO | 20 (20) | Apr 22, 1904 | Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, US | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 10 | Loss | 8–2 | Jack Johnson | PTS | 20 | Oct 27, 1903 | Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Denver Ed Martin | KO | 1 (20), 2:37 | Sep 15, 1903 | Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Kid Carter | KO | 11 (20) | May 5, 1903 | Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 7 | Loss | 6–1 | Jack Johnson | PTS | 20 | Feb 26, 1903 | Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Jack Kid Lavalle | KO | 1 (10), 0:30 | Jan 31, 1903 | Oxnard, California, US | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Jim 'Toothpick' Kelly | KO | 4 (?) | Jan 6, 1903 | Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Fred Russell | KO | 5 (20) | Nov 1, 1902 | Auditorium, Oxnard, California, US | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Jack Fogarty | KO | 5 (?) | Oct 9, 1902 | Oxnard, California, US | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Herb McKell | KO | 3 (?) | Jun 19, 1902 | Pioneer Hall, Oxnard, California, US | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | George Sullivan | KO | 6 (20) | Apr 12, 1902 | Auditorium, Oxnard, California, US | |

### Unofficial record

| 112 fights | 78 wins | 18 losses |
| By knockout | 60 | 5 |
| By decision | 17 | 13 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 13 | 13 |
| No contests | 3 | 3 |
Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions to the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| 112 | Draw | 78–18–13 (3) | Jeff Clark | NWS | 10 | Aug 1, 1921 | Rossmere Park, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 111 | Win | 78–18–12 (3) | Jeff Clark | NWS | 10 | Jul 7, 1921 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | |
| 110 | Win | 77–18–12 (3) | Jeff Clark | PTS | 12 | Mar 21, 1921 | Columbus, Ohio, US | |
| 109 | NC | 76–18–12 (3) | Jack Thompson | NC | 6 (10) | Mar 18, 1921 | Moose Temple, Detroit, Michigan, US | McVea was hit with body blows. He held excessively, so the referee declared a no contest |
| 108 | NC | 76–18–12 (2) | Harry Wills | NC | 6 (8) | Sep 8, 1920 | Ice Palace, Philadelphia, US | World colored heavyweight title at stake; Fight stopped for "stalling" |
| 107 | Win | 76–18–12 (1) | Jack Ward | KO | 2 (10) | Sep 1, 1920 | Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, US | |
| 106 | Loss | 75–18–12 (1) | Sam Langford | NWS | 10 | Aug 14, 1920 | East Chicago, Indiana, US | |
| 105 | Loss | 75–17–12 (1) | Pinky Lewis | PTS | 10 | Aug 5, 1920 | Tulsa, Oklahoma, US | |
| 104 | Win | 75–16–12 (1) | Clem Johnson | KO | 4 (15) | Dec 15, 1918 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | |
| 103 | Draw | 74–16–12 (1) | Jack Livingstone | PTS | 10 | Sep 14, 1918 | Broadway Theater, Colon City, Panama | |
| 102 | Loss | 74–16–11 (1) | Harry Wills | PTS | 20 | Jun 16, 1918 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | |
| 101 | Loss | 74–15–11 (1) | Harry Wills | KO | 5 (20) | Feb 17, 1918 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | |
| 100 | Win | 74–14–11 (1) | Battling Jim Johnson | PTS | 25 | Oct 14, 1917 | Broadway Theater, Colon City, Panama | |
| 99 | Win | 73–14–11 (1) | Battling Jim Johnson | PTS | 20 | Aug 12, 1917 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | Fought outside in heavy rain |
| 98 | Win | 72–14–11 (1) | Jeff Clark | TKO | 15 (20) | Jul 15, 1917 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | |
| 97 | Win | 71–14–11 (1) | Jeff Clark | PTS | 20 | May 13, 1917 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | |
| 96 | Win | 70–14–11 (1) | Jim Barry | TKO | 7 (20) | Mar 11, 1917 | Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama | |
| 95 | Win | 69–14–11 (1) | Jim Briggs | KO | 2 (10) | Jan 27, 1917 | Santa Ana Plaza, Panama City, Panama | |
| 94 | Win | 68–14–11 (1) | Fitz Brathwaite | KO | 1 (10) | Jan 27, 1917 | Santa Ana Plaza, Panama City, Panama | |
| 93 | Win | 67–14–11 (1) | Jack Livingstone | KO | 5 (15) | Jan 14, 1917 | Garden Theater, Colon City, Panama | |
| 92 | Win | 66–14–11 (1) | Bob Devere | PTS | 10 | Sep 20, 1916 | Santiago de Chile, Chile | |
| 91 | Draw | 65–14–11 (1) | Bob Devere | PTS | 20 | Sep 3, 1916 | Santiago de Chile, Chile | |
| 90 | Draw | 65–14–10 (1) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Aug 12, 1916 | Teatro Roma, Avellaneda, Argentina | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 89 | Draw | 65–14–9 (1) | Sam Langford | NWS | 12 | May 2, 1916 | East Market St. Rink, Akron, Ohio, US | World colored heavyweight title at stake; (via KO only) |
| 88 | Loss | 65–14–8 (1) | Jack Thompson | PTS | 8 | Apr 14, 1916 | Future City A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, US | |
| 87 | Loss | 65–13–8 (1) | Sam Langford | NWS | 10 | Apr 7, 1916 | Arena, Syracuse, New York, US | World colored heavyweight title at stake; (via KO only) |
| 86 | Loss | 65–12–8 (1) | Sam Langford | NWS | 10 | Feb 17, 1916 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 85 | Draw | 65–11–8 (1) | Sam Langford | NWS | 10 | Oct 23, 1915 | American A.C., New York City, New York, US | |
| 84 | Win | 65–11–7 (1) | Jeff Clark | PTS | 10 | Oct 15, 1915 | North Side A.C., Kansas City, Missouri, US | |
| 83 | Draw | 64–11–7 (1) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Sep 30, 1915 | Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, US | |
| 82 | Loss | 64–11–6 (1) | Harry Wills | PTS | 12 | Sep 7, 1915 | Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US | Lost world colored heavyweight title |
| 81 | Win | 64–10–6 (1) | Sam Langford | KO | 8 (12) | Aug 10, 1915 | Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 80 | Win | 63–10–6 (1) | Sam Langford | PTS | 12 | Jun 29, 1915 | Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US | Won world colored heavyweight title |
| 79 | Win | 62–10–6 (1) | Battling Jim Johnson | NWS | 10 | Jun 9, 1915 | Gayety Theatre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| 78 | Win | 61–10–6 (1) | Harry Wills | NWS | 10 | May 19, 1915 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 77 | Draw | 60–10–6 (1) | Joe Jennette | PTS | 12 | Apr 27, 1915 | Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 76 | Win | 60–10–5 (1) | Battling Jim Johnson | PTS | 20 | Feb 20, 1915 | Havana, Cuba | |
| 75 | Win | 59–10–5 (1) | Harry Wills | PTS | 20 | Dec 20, 1914 | McDonoghville Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, US | |
| 74 | Win | 58–10–5 (1) | Battling Jim Johnson | NWS | 10 | Dec 10, 1914 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | |
| 73 | Win | 57–10–5 (1) | Arthur Pelkey | KO | 4 (20) | Jun 13, 1914 | Baker's Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia | |
| 72 | Win | 56–10–5 (1) | Colin Bell | KO | 2 (20) | Dec 27, 1913 | Olympia A.C. Newtown, Sydney, Australia | |
| 71 | Win | 55–10–5 (1) | Professor Stevenson | KO | 5 (10) | Nov 6, 1913 | Rink Hall, Lismore, Australia | |
| 70 | Win | 54–10–5 (1) | Colin Bell | TKO | 16 (20) | Apr 19, 1913 | National Arena, Adelaide, Australia | Won South Australia State heavyweight titles |
| 69 | Draw | 53–10–5 (1) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Mar 24, 1913 | Olympic Stadium, Brisbane, Australia | For world colored heavyweight titles |
| 68 | Loss | 53–10–4 (1) | Sam Langford | KO | 13 (20) | Dec 26, 1912 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | For Australian and world colored heavyweight titles |
| 67 | Loss | 53–9–4 (1) | Sam Langford | TKO | 11 (20) | Oct 9, 1912 | Exhibition Stadium, Perth, Australia | For Australian and world colored heavyweight titles; McVey claimed a foul. This was not allowed and he refused to continue |
| 66 | Loss | 53–8–4 (1) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Aug 3, 1912 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | For Australian and world colored heavyweight titles |
| 65 | Loss | 53–7–4 (1) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Apr 8, 1912 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | Lost Australian and world colored heavyweight titles |
| 64 | Win | 53–6–4 (1) | Jim Barry | PTS | 20 | Mar 16, 1912 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | |
| 63 | Win | 52–6–4 (1) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Dec 26, 1911 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | Retained Australian heavyweight title; Won world colored heavyweight title |
| 62 | Win | 51–6–4 (1) | Jack Lester | TKO | 8 (20) | Dec 11, 1911 | Olympic Stadium, Brisbane, Australia | Retained Australian heavyweight title |
| 61 | Win | 50–6–4 (1) | Bill Lang | KO | 2 (20) | Oct 28, 1911 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | Retained Australian heavyweight title |
| 60 | Win | 49–6–4 (1) | Jack Lester | PTS | 20 | Sep 30, 1911 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia | Won Australian heavyweight title |
| 59 | Win | 48–6–4 (1) | Alf Langford | KO | 9 (15) | Aug 3, 1911 | Artillery Drill Hall, Sheffield, England, UK | |
| 58 | Win | 47–6–4 (1) | George Rodel | KO | 1 (20) | Jul 20, 1911 | Liverpool Stadium, Pudsey Street, Liverpool, England, UK | |
| 57 | Win | 46–6–4 (1) | Andrew Dixon | KO | 4 (20) | May 25, 1911 | Cirque-Théâtre, Angers, France | |
| 56 | Draw | 45–6–4 (1) | Sam Langford | PTS | 20 | Apr 1, 1911 | Cirque de Paris, Paris, France | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 55 | Win | 45–6–3 (1) | Charley Harris | KO | 3 (?) | Feb 25, 1911 | Apollo-Cirque, Nancy, France | |
| 54 | Win | 44–6–3 (1) | Seaman Fred Parsons | KO | 1 (15) | Jan 14, 1911 | Bâtiment Électoral, Geneva, Switzerland | |
| 53 | Win | 43–6–3 (1) | Battling Jim Johnson | KO | 21 (25) | Nov 19, 1910 | Luna Park Skating Rink, Paris, France | |
| 52 | Win | 42–6–3 (1) | Sergeant Sunshine | KO | 1 (?) | Oct 22, 1910 | Hippodrome, Paris, Belgium | |
| 51 | Win | 41–6–3 (1) | Peter Rice | TKO | 3 (?) | Oct 17, 1910 | Brussels Rinking, Brussels, Belgium | |
| 50 | Draw | 40–6–3 (1) | Battling Jim Johnson | PTS | 15 | Aug 7, 1910 | Neuilly-sur-Seine, France | |
| 49 | Win | 40–6–2 (1) | Peter Rice | KO | 4 (?) | Jul 22, 1910 | Salle de la Pépinière, Paris, France | |
| 48 | Win | 39–6–2 (1) | Joe Grim | TKO | 13 (20) | Jun 25, 1910 | Hippodrome, Paris, France | |
| 47 | Win | 38–6–2 (1) | Jim Stewart | TKO | 6 (25) | Apr 16, 1910 | Cirque de Paris, Paris, France | |
| 46 | Win | 37–6–2 (1) | Arthur Bennett | KO | 4 (25) | Apr 13, 1910 | Apollo-Cirque, Nancy, France | |
| 45 | Win | 36–6–2 (1) | Herbert Sinnott | KO | 5 | Mar 25, 1910 | Grand-Théâtre, Saint-Etienne, France | A fight to the finish |
| 44 | Win | 35–6–2 (1) | Al Kubiak | KO | 10 (20) | Feb 26, 1910 | Wonderland, Paris, France | |
| 43 | Win | 34–6–2 (1) | Fred Drummond | KO | 5 (?) | Jan 27, 1910 | Le Havre, France | |
| 42 | Draw | 33–6–2 (1) | Joe Jennette | PTS | 30 | Dec 11, 1909 | Cirque d'Hiver, Paris, France | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 41 | Win | 33–6–1 (1) | Fred Drummond | KO | 7 (20) | Jul 4, 1909 | Praça de Touros do Campo Pequeno, Lisbon, Portugal | |
| 40 | Win | 32–6–1 (1) | Jim Barry | DQ | 15 (20) | Jun 26, 1909 | Cirque de Paris, Paris, France | |
| 39 | Win | 31–6–1 (1) | Bill Harris | KO | 5 | May 30, 1909 | Arènes du Rond-Point du Prado, Marseille, France | A fight to the finish |
| 38 | Win | 30–6–1 (1) | Fred Drummond | KO | 5 (20) | Apr 24, 1909 | Nouveau Cirque, Orléans, France | |
| 37 | Loss | 29–6–1 (1) | Joe Jennette | RTD | 49 (?) | Apr 17, 1909 | Cirque de Paris, Paris, France | Lost world colored heavyweight title |
| 36 | Win | 29–5–1 (1) | 'Cyclone' Billy Warren | KO | 2 (?) | Apr 9, 1909 | Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France | Retained world colored heavyweight title |
| 35 | Win | 28–5–1 (1) | Joe Jennette | PTS | 20 | Feb 20, 1909 | Salle des Fêtes, Roubaix, France | Won vacant world colored heavyweight title |
| 34 | Win | 27–5–1 (1) | Herbert Sinnott | KO | 5 (15) | Feb 5, 1909 | Salle des Fêtes, Roubaix, France | |
| 33 | Win | 26–5–1 (1) | Bill Rickard | KO | 1 (?), 0:06 | Jan 23, 1909 | Folies Bergère, Paris, France | |
| 32 | Draw | 25–5–1 (1) | Fred Drummond | PTS | ? | Dec 18, 1908 | Théâtre de l'Eldorado, Montpellier, France | |
| 31 | NC | 25–5 (1) | Fred Drummond | NC | ? (?) | Dec 17, 1908 | Théâtre de l'Eldorado, Montpellier, France | |
| 30 | Win | 25–5 | Camerlings | TKO | 1 (?) | Nov 18, 1908 | Scala, Brussels, Belgium | |
| 29 | Win | 24–5 | Herbert Sinnott | KO | 5 (20) | Nov 14, 1908 | Hippodrome, Paris, France | |
| 28 | Win | 23–5 | Guionnet | TKO | 3 (?) | Oct 14, 1908 | Bordeaux, France | |
| 27 | Win | 22–5 | Harry Shearing | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 19, 1908 | Paris, France | |
| 26 | Win | 21–5 | Fred Drummond | KO | 4 (15) | Jul 18, 1908 | Scala, Oostende, Belgium | |
| 25 | Win | 20–5 | Charlie Wilson | KO | 3 (20) | Jul 12, 1908 | Velodrome du Karreveld, Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, Belgium | |
| 24 | Win | 19–5 | Georges Rampazzi | KO | 3 (?) | Jul 1, 1908 | Biarritz, France | Exact date unknown |
| 23 | Win | 18–5 | Jewey Smith | KO | 3 (20) | May 23, 1908 | Porte Maillot, Paris, France | |
| 22 | Win | 17–5 | Ben Taylor | KO | 11 (15) | Apr 15, 1908 | Hippodrome, Paris, France | |
| 21 | Win | 16–5 | Harry Shearing | TKO | 5 (?) | Feb 15, 1908 | Neuilly Bowling Palace, Paris, France | |
| 20 | Win | 15–5 | Jack Scales | KO | 2 (15) | Dec 28, 1907 | Salle Wagram, Paris, France | |
| 19 | Win | 14–5 | Marc Gaucher | KO | 4 (?) | Oct 24, 1907 | Folies Bergère, Paris, France | |
| 18 | Win | 13–5 | Ben Taylor | KO | 3 (10) | Jun 3, 1907 | National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England, UK | |
| 17 | Loss | 12–5 | Joe Jennette | NWS | 10 | Apr 15, 1907 | Lyric Hall, New York City, New York, US | |
| 16 | Win | 12–4 | Denver Ed Martin | KO | 16 (20) | Feb 28, 1907 | Old Pavilion, Sacramento, California, US | |
| 15 | Win | 11–4 | Sailor Matt Turner | KO | 2 (20), 1:15 | Nov 29, 1906 | Farragut Theater, Vallejo, California, US | |
| 14 | Win | 10–4 | Tornado Smith | KO | 1 (?) | Feb 24, 1906 | Bakersfield, California, US | |
| 13 | Win | 9–4 | Denver Ed Martin | KO | 4 (20) | Jan 25, 1906 | National A.C., San Diego, California, US | |
| 12 | Loss | 8–4 | Denver Ed Martin | PTS | 10 | Aug 12, 1904 | Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 11 | Loss | 8–3 | Jack Johnson | KO | 20 (20) | Apr 22, 1904 | Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, US | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 10 | Loss | 8–2 | Jack Johnson | PTS | 20 | Oct 27, 1903 | Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Denver Ed Martin | KO | 1 (20), 2:37 | Sep 15, 1903 | Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Kid Carter | KO | 11 (20) | May 5, 1903 | Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 7 | Loss | 6–1 | Jack Johnson | PTS | 20 | Feb 26, 1903 | Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US | For world colored heavyweight title |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Jack Kid Lavalle | KO | 1 (10), 0:30 | Jan 31, 1903 | Oxnard, California, US | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Jim 'Toothpick' Kelly | KO | 4 (?) | Jan 6, 1903 | Hazard's Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Fred Russell | KO | 5 (20) | Nov 1, 1902 | Auditorium, Oxnard, California, US | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Jack Fogarty | KO | 5 (?) | Oct 9, 1902 | Oxnard, California, US | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Herb McKell | KO | 3 (?) | Jun 19, 1902 | Pioneer Hall, Oxnard, California, US | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | George Sullivan | KO | 6 (20) | Apr 12, 1902 | Auditorium, Oxnard, California, US | |